Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 1984 Ford Mustang, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 37% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 17% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 7% |
| Steering | 2 | 7% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
| Tires | 1 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Interior lighting | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 FORD MUSTANG. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN ALIGNMENT AND THEY STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY AND MADE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
FULDA TIRES-CARAT 195/60R15. DOT PJRBYFKR0803. DRIVER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. OWNER STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED BRAND NEW, AND THERE WAS ONLY 500 MILES OF TREAD WEAR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
VEHICLE HAS FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH DUE TO WIRING BEING CORRODED. THIS CAUSED ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO INTERACT, PERFORMING POORLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN THIS CAR STALLS IT WILL FIRST NOT HOLD A STEADY IDLE. THERE ARE OTHER TIMES WHEN THIS CAR WILL BE WATING ATA A LIGHT AND THE IDLE WILLL KICK UP TO OVER 2000 RPM. WHEN THIS HAPPEND THE ENGINE WILL TRY TO ENGAGE AND T
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IGNITION MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.ALSO REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND HEATER HOSE.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
IGNITION MODULE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL.ALSO REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND HEATER HOSE.
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TWO LEFT AND RIGHT PADS WERE EXCESSIVELY WORN, BROKEN IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS AND WERE DISNTEGRATING AFTER 4K MILES OF OPERATION.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING.OWNER RECEIVED NO INDICATION THAT VEHICLE WAS GOING TO STALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD WARM UP IT, WOULD STALL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1984 Ford Mustang. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTA
Risk: A LEAKING FUEL PUMP COULD CREATE A VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE D-SHAPED RING FOR THE SHOULDER BELT ARE INADEQUATELY SUPPORTED BY THE MATERIAL IN WHICH THEY ARE MOUNTED. THE ATTACHMENT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES".
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ATTACHING HARDWARE TO IMPROVE THE STRENGTH OF THE MOUNTING.
THE PLASTIC SLEEVE IN THE FRONT SAFETY BELT TONGUE ASSEMBLY WHICH RETAINS THE LOCK BAR CAN DETERIORATE FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT AND BECOME DISPLACED, CAUSING THE TONGUE TO DETACH FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING.
Risk: IF THE TONGUE DETACHES FROM THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING, THESAFETY BELT WOULD NOT ATTACH TO ITSELF, RESULTING IN INCREASED RISK OF INJURYTO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR VEHICLE CRASH
Fix: FORD WILL REPAIR THE SAFETY BELTS EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION REGARDLESS OF VEHICLE AGE OR CONDITION.
THE SECONDARY THROTTLE SHAFT MAY, WITH ACCUMULATED MILEAGE, BECOME CONTAMINATED AND MAY STICK IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION WHILE DRIVING.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS STICKING COULD RESULT IN A FASTER SPEED THAN INTENDED, POSSIBLY RESUTLING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: THE PRIMARY TO SECONDARY THROTTLE CLOSURE LINK ON THE CARBURETOR WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE.
| Reliability | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 96 | excellent |
| Performance | 61 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 11 of them (37%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1984 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.